Memphis Light, Gas and Water has announced plans to seek proposals for the construction of solar power generation and battery storage facilities. Memphis Light, Gas and Water President and CEO Doug McGowen stated that the plan includes 100 megawatts of solar generation and 80 megawatts of utility-scale battery storage, with the capacity to provide energy to more than 110,000 homes, as reported by Action News 5.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water has issued an RFP with responses due by April 28, and the process beginning on March 14. Battery storage will be used for two to four hours during peak demand. This move is "consistent with MLGW’s efforts to improve the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid and ensure the continued availability of affordable power for our customers for decades to come," as stated by Local Memphis.
According to Action News 5, the utility has already earmarked $120 million for the project. Despite the considerable budget allocation, McGowen assured that this investment would not result in increased costs for customers. Furthermore, the introduction of xAI, a potent supercomputer in Southwest Memphis, reportedly played no role in the decision to embark on this solar venture, as financial provisions for this initiative were placed in the budget back in 2024.
McGowen stated that the project focuses on reliability, telling Commercial Appeal, "Reliability is something we have been focusing on." The solar and storage project is planned to begin operation in the third quarter of 2026. Memphis Light, Gas and Water’s current agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority does not allow it to generate its own power, but McGowen noted that a contract modification could permit solar power production.
